Halle Berry says it’s hard finding work because she’s black

Halle Berry, 48, claims she has ”always had a hard time getting roles” because she is black.

The actress – whose mother Judith is Caucasian, while her father Jerome is African/American – insists it hasn’t become harder for to land great jobs as she as gotten older because there has always been a shortage of parts available to her throughout her career because she is mixed race.

In an interview with The Guardian, she said: ”I’ve always had a hard time getting roles, being of color, so I’ve got as many available to me as I’ve always had – there’s no difference for me. When I was 21, it was as hard as it is now when I’m 48. For me it’s the same.”

Although not the only or the first black woman to win an Oscar, Halle is the only black actress to have won one in the Best Actress category, landing the accolade for her performance in Monster’s Ball.

However, she believes it’s only a matter of time before she loses that title.

When asked if she’s disappointed to be the only black woman to win that award, she said: ”I’m disappointed. I’m inspired though, when I see how many people of color are doing such good work out there. The quality and value of our work isn’t determined by an award. I would like to see more of them recognized, absolutely, but we all need to find the win in the work, and doing our craft. The real win is when we’re not just selling stories of color, that people of color can be in everyday stories. Where we’re not saying, ‘These are the movies for black people.’ ”

Share this article:

Comments & Discussion

Andrea • March 24, 2015 @ 9:58 AM

OMFG, what a whiner. Does she know how many white women would love the opportunities she’s been given? Give it up Halle, you are not black, you are also white, raised by a white woman and you are a privileged, lucky person to be where you are.

Elmira • March 25, 2015 @ 10:53 AM

I give her credit where credit is due she has worked hard to get where she is at. She had a lot of hoops to jump through which caused a lot of problems in her career as well as her personal live.she is one strong woman go girl. Keep up the good work.

Janice • March 25, 2015 @ 2:29 PM

Halle what you say is so true there should be more black people winning an Oscar. Your talent and beauty lights up the screen and also a lot more of color.Our color seem to work harder just to get recognized when I myself know that they are inspiring.They are winner’s in our hearts keep doing what you do Halle you shine.

Nicole • March 26, 2015 @ 11:14 AM

I think it is hard for her to find roles because of attitude, not race. There are many fabulous black actresses that have great careers in TV, film & stage.

Webdy • March 27, 2015 @ 2:52 AM

How about this Halle? You are a shitty actress period. When you won the Oscar you played a lowlife anyways so I doubt you had to reach much into your talent pool.

As for a fine human being lost respect for you after your whiner speech at the Oscars…Shortly after that you were involved in an automobile accident wherein you were the perpetrator and you left the scene of the accident and wouldn’t answer your door when the police came calling. There were injuries involved but once again you thought only of yourself.

You don’t see Meryl Streep whining and she has been nominated countless times without winning every time. It has nothing to do with color. It is about class and talent. What disrespect for your white mother to boot…just stick to modeling where shallow people can adore you not respect you.

junebug • June 12, 2015 @ 8:14 PM

OK people you don’t have to be mean about it. You can just as easily say you disagree and tastefully make your point. She’s had a good career. It’s a hard business for anyone, she definitely should not be complaining. She ‘made it’. Point made.

guest • August 14, 2015 @ 9:33 AM

iHalle has no talent, i do not evnen think she studied anywhere, if she did what fool is teaching her because halle still has not got it, vincent took her right off the street and start booking her for one liners, , Halle is quiet pitiful ut at the sme time a rooton insode and outside like a apple with a worng crawling through it, just nasty attitude, and i can say this because i have seen this for myself; At the same time halle berry is so insecure it just male you sick, an whats with this jeffrey dean morgan thing halle berry must be single but still in one breath halle says she has things to do with her kids soshe had to leave comic con , hif you seen this halle was working her tricks, you see olivier martinez has worked with jeffey dean morgan on the mini series Texas rising and halle made a delibzeate FOOL OUT OF HRSELF if was as though halle was trying to let the world know she and jeffry dean morgan are having an affair, I BELIEVE HALLE THREW HER RING AWAY BECAUSE OLIVIER does NOT RESPECT HER and i believe halle is definitely in a FAKE marriage where halle went to france and had a commitment ceremony like kimora lee simmons did with Djimon HOUNSON Ddid when they were together , Halle is a piece of stupid work